It is due to mechanical damage caused by the insertion of the armed proboscis into the lumen of the host's intestine. [5] [9]

Passage of adult worms with stools.

Some reports show cases with parasitic infestation with no symptoms. [2] However, some of the cases were identified after the patient has been passing adult worms in stools. Morphological assessment of the worms assist in diagnosing. [4] [5] [7] [8] [10]

Non-specific abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting and anorexia

Majority of the cases reported milder non-specific gastrointestinal symptoms, in some symptoms have been there for months before arriving at a diagnosis. [2]

Abdominal distension.

Abdominal distention or edema has been reported in several cases but in some there was co-existent other parasitic gastroenteritis types. [4]

Fever

It is due to inflammatory response to the parasitic infection. [3] [10]

Examination

Fact

Explanation

There are no significant examination findings reported.

However a single case has presented with edema, but later it was shown that the patient had a concomittant giardia infection, thus the edema likely resulted from giardia-related protein malabsorption. [1]

Investigations - for Diagnosis

Fact

Explanation

Morphological examination of adult worms.

The diagnostic feature of the acanthocephala is the presence of an anterior, protrudible proboscis that is usually covered with spiny hooks. Size of the worms differ according to the species and ranges from a few millimetres in length to 65 centimetres. The female worms are larger than the male. The body surface is covered by a tegumentum. [1]-[5]